/assets/images/provider/photos/2347956.jpg)
Learn About Skin Check
The only way to find skin cancer at an early stage is with a skin check. But suspicious skin lesions aren’t always easy to find because the same type of skin cancer can appear in many different forms. Amy Curtis, MD, FAAD, Leena Brown, MPT, PA-C, and the team at Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah have the expertise to identify and treat all types of skin cancer. If you have questions or need to schedule a skin check, call the office in Centerville or West Jordan, Utah, or use the online booking feature today.
What is a skin check?
A skin check, also called a full-body skin exam, refers to closely examining all the moles and lesions on your body, as well as looking for any unusual changes in your skin. The purpose of a skin check is to find signs of skin cancer.
Most people should schedule an annual exam, but you may need more frequent skin checks if you already had skin cancer or you’re in the high-risk category.
Am I at risk for skin cancer?
Everyone can get skin cancer, but your risk goes up if you have any of the following:
- Cumulative exposure to ultraviolet light
- Number of blistering sunburns
- Many moles on your body
- Light-colored skin
- Red or blonde hair
- Blue eyes
- Weakened immune system
- Previous diagnosis of skin cancer
- Family history of skin cancer
Tanning beds increase your risk just as much as natural sunlight. Your risk also increases as you get older because you accumulate more time in the sun.
Should I do my own skin check?
A monthly self-exam, or doing your own skin check on a regular basis, is a good way to find skin cancer at an early stage. As a general guideline, you should look for:
- Changes in moles, freckles, and other existing lesions
- New lesions
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Lesions that are itchy, painful, or bleeding
The team at Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah can teach you how to do self-skin exams during your appointment for a skin check.
What should I expect during a skin check?
During a skin check, you typically remove your clothes and wear a gown so that your skin is exposed and easier to examine. You should also avoid wearing makeup or remove it before your exam.
Your provider at Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah uses a light and magnification tool to examine your skin from top to bottom. They may perform dermatoscopy with a noninvasive device that shows variations in the color and structure of lesions. These details help to determine if a lesion like a mole is benign or malignant.
Most skin checks only take about 15 minutes, but your appointment lasts longer if they find a potential problem. Your provider removes suspicious lesions for examination.
If you have questions about skin cancer or want to schedule a skin check, call Dermatology and Aesthetics Center of Utah, or use the online booking feature today.